Bach's St. John Passion Concert

Join the Boston University Singers, Boston University Baroque Orchestra, and community partners for Bach’s, St. John Passion (BWV 245), a monumental work that stands as one of the pinnacles of Baroque choral music. Featuring Boston University Singers, Boston University Baroque Orchestra, H+H Youth Choruses, and All Saints Parish Brookline Choir. Led by conductors Daniel Parsley and Jane Starkman.

• Composed in 1724 for Good Friday Vespers at the St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig, the St. John Passion is one of only two surviving Passion settings by Bach. The work is renowned for its vivid portrayal of the Passion narrative, combining the Gospel text of John with reflective poetry and Lutheran chorales. Bach's St. John Passion is distinguished by its rich musical textures and the use of interesting solo instruments, such as oboe d’amore, viola da gamba, and lute, that add unique colors to the score. For example, the viola da gamba, an early stringed instrument, plays a hauntingly beautiful role in the mezzo aria “Es ist vollbracht,” symbolizing the solemnity and finality of Christ’s death.

• The chorus transforms as many different characters throughout the drama: soldiers, the public crowd, and the faithful congregants through a number of choral orchestral textures and scenes.Throughout the piece, the Evangelist, a tenor soloist, narrates the story with expressive vocal lines that capture the drama of the events. The arias, sung by soloists, offer moments of deep reflection, often accompanied by these distinctive instrumental voices that highlight the emotional intensity of the text. Bach’s St. John Passion continues to resonate with audiences today, admired for its emotional depth, dramatic storytelling, and masterful use of both vocal and instrumental resources.